Flue-stopper



(No Model.)

G. H. SGHOLLE.

PLUE STOPPER.

Patented Aug. 15, 1893.

UNITED STATES CHARLES H. SCHOLLE,

PATENT OFFICE.

OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

F'LUE-STOPPER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 503,388, dated August15, 1893.

Application filed January 11, 1.893.

T0 aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, CHARLES H. SoHoLLE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Oinoinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio,have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Flue-Stoppers, ofwhich the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a fine-stopper which can beeasily secured in place and when so secured and covered with wall-paperor other ornamental design will prevent said paper or design from beingscorched by the heat, if not ignited, thereby securing the same fromdamage and averting the danger of fire. This I accomplish by providing adouble cap, as it were, that is, an inner and outer plate secured to aflange, a space being left between them, so that whatever fire or heatstrikes theinner plate it will not affect the enter one, the heatgenerated from whatever cause passing out or escaping through aconvenient vent, thus permitting the plate that is flush with the wallto be always of a temperature to effect the required results.

My invention will be more fully understood from the description hereincontained, and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming part ofmy application, in which- Figure 1 is a front view of my flue-stopper,the outer or front cap being removed in order to show the inner plateand the arrangement of the spring which holds the stopper in place inthe flue. Fig. 2 is a rear view of the inner plate with the retainingspring in position, the solid lines indicating such position, while thedotted lines show it just about ready for insertion in its properquarter. Fig. 3 is a front view of the stopper as a whole, that is, asit appears so as to be flush with the wall. Fig. at is a verticalcentral section of the stopper, the solid lines indicating its positionin the flue, the dotted lines indicating its outer plate as it appearsjust before its attachment to the inner portion.

The letterAindicates theinner plate. This is formed by a die so that adished configuration is obtained. In other Words it is so formedintegrally that a flange b is secured, which abuts against the outersurface of the wall, while the dished, or hollowed-out, portion projectsinto the due.

Serial No. 58,009- (No model.)

C are retaining lugs, formed integrally on the inner rim of the saidflange, and serve to hold or release the outer plate P. These lugs areeircumferentially equi-distant, and their number may be varied. I haveshown but three, deeming that number sufficient for the purpose.

E are apertures or slots formed around the lower portion, of the flangeb. By means of these slots, the retaining spring S is held or releasedfrom the stopper as a whole. The upper aperture, which I designate as E,is somewhat longer than the others, in order to aitord elastic play forthe spring while it is being inserted or removed, and when insertedlimit the expansion by hearing against the sides thereof, or to be socontracted or expanded as to conform snugly to the size of the flue-holefor purposes of removal or retention. Another purpose which theseapertures or slots subserve is to permit the superheated air in thespace between the inner and outer plates to escape to the flue, thuspreventing any undue heat being communicated to the paper-covering orother material that may be affixed to the outer plate P.

I have shown the spring S as being in the shape of a quadrant, that is,its bearing or impinging surfaces against the interior of the flue, asbeing composed of four parts, one being integral with the other, but thenumber of these bearing parts I do not consider material-they may bemore or may be less, the only object being to secure an equablepressure, so that the stopper will not wabble or sag, but be held firmlyin position, so that no sparks or soot escape. As will be observed thesebearing-surfaces are nearly a quarter of a circle each, and are so bentas that three inward prongs r, are formed, the two ends d, e, being freeand unjoined and likewise inwardly bent, as seen more clearly in Figs. 1and 2. By means of the free ends expansion and contraction is obtained,while through the prongs r inserted through the slots E, an equableretention and leverage is secured.

The plate P is circumferentially provided with slots 0 equal in numberto the retaining lugs C. When it is desired to attach the plate theseslots and lugs are aligned to one another, the plate P drops below thesurface of the lugs O and is then slightly turned as to is supported bya shoulder g formed on the inner portion of the flange b, as seen inFig.

1, but more noticeable in Fig. 3.

F, Fig; 4, represents the fiue-hole. Referring again to the slots 0 andlugs C, it may be stated that it is not necessary to have an equalnumber of each. All that is needed as seen in Fig.3, where there'arethree lugs I and one slot, is to provide a means whereby l the plate Pcan be conveniently slipped un- I der the lugs and retained thereby, orreleased therefrom, irrespective of the number of slots on the rim ofsaid plate P, or the number of lugs on-the flange 5.

ing, and which is a guarantee against the escape of soot or smoke intothe room.

Another feature which it may be well to mention is the ease with whichthe parts-may be taken apart for packing and shipping, the

smalLbulk occupied, and the facility with; V which they can be replaced,all without danger of injury.

What I therefore claim,and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is' I 1.In a flue-stopper, a dished and flanged plate which impinges against theouter wall surface, and is provided with retaining lugs, in combinationwith an outer plate which is I thus provide a .fluestopper which issimple in construction, cheap inmanufacturin g, proof against fire orscorchdesigned to engage with said lugs and be retained .or releasedthereby, whereby there is provided a space intermediate between the in:

ner and outer plates, substantially as shown and described, and for thepurposes specified.

2. In a flue-stopper, a dished inner plate and an outer plate, which issecured in place or released by means of slots and lugs on said innerand outer plates respectively, whereby there is formed an intermediatespace, in combination with spring and vent apertures whereby a spring,as S, can be readily attached and detached, expanded or contracted,substantially as described and for the purposes specified.

3. A double-plated flue-stopper, withan intermediate space formed bydishing one of the plates, and having the other secured in placeflush,orsubstantially so,with the flanged surface of the dished plate,in combination with a retaining spring, as S, capable of being held inplace by slots,which also subserve the purpose of permitting thesuperheated air to escape, substantially as shownand described.

4. In a double-plated flue-stopper provided with an intermediate space,a pronged spring which impinges against the interior of the flue and isretained in slots on the inner plate, whereby expansion and contractionare obtained, substantially ,as shown and described, and for thepurposes specified.

CHARLES H. ,SCHOLLE.

Witnesses:

ELIZABETH U. SoHoLLE, J ERE. F. Tuorne.

